<b>The Cambridge encyclopedia of language</b> . By David Crystal. Cambridge &amp; New York: Cambridge University Press, 1991. Pp. vii, 472. Paper $24.95.

The structure of language and identity, child language acquisition, language, brain and handicap, and language and communication are discussed.

Abstract

1 Popular ideas about language 2 Language and identity 3 The structure of language 4 The medium of language: speaking and listening 5 The medium of language: reading and writing 6 The medium of language: signing and seeing 7 Child language acquisition 8 Language, brain and handicap 9 The languages of the world 10 Language in the world 11 Language and communication Appendices 1 Glossary 2 Special symbols and abbreviations used in The Encyclopedia of Language 3 Table of the world's languages 4 Further reading 5 References 6 Index of langauges, families, dialects and scripts 7 Index of authors and personalities 8 Index of topics